ALAN NAVARRO is determined to make the most of his second chance in football.

ALAN NAVARRO is determined to make the most of his second chance in football.

A little over a year ago the Tran-mere midfielder's career was almost ended by cruciate knee ligament damage.

Now fully fit the midfielder is one of a number of young players who have forced themselves into Brian Little's side.

The tough-tackling Navarro has started both league games under the new manager, helping Rovers to maximumpoints.

The former Liverpool player said: "Hopefully the injury is behind me. I have had no problems really. At the start of the season there was one or two niggles, but hopefully it's okay. I just want to stay injury free and keep my place in the team."

With Little employing a 3-5-2 formation in his early games in charge, Navarro has impressed as part of a three-man central midfield.

He said: "It's good to play in. It also means there is an extra position for us midfielders. The gaffer wants a lot of hard work from his midfielders and to look at the defensive side of things as well, but I'm also hoping that a goal is not too far away for me.

"At the moment everyone is on a high. The gaffer has come in and talked to people and we all feel comfortable around him. Hope-fully everything will come together.

"We know that if you are performing well the gaffer will put you in the team. It gives everyone a boost, especially the young lads and keeps the more experienced players on their toes."

Little is expected to keep the 3-5-2 system for tomorrow's trip to Loftus Road, although it could hinge on late fitness checks on wing-back Sean Connelly (leg) and central midfielder Mickey Mellon (hip). Centre-half Kevin Gray remains out with a hamstring problem.

Little knows that opponents QPR represent his toughest test yet as Tranmere go in search of their first away win of the season.

As a Sky TV pundit, Little tipped the Londoners' for promotion at the start of the campaign.

The manager said: "I also thought that Tranmere would be in with a shout. We have a hard game against a side who had a bad result in midweek and will not have enjoyed that. They will be doubly determined to try and win tomorrow.

"I will be bitterly disappointed if we don't get something out of the game. We have set a standard in terms of attitude and commitment, but there is still a standard to be reached in terms of how we play.

"I haven't got carried away with the two results we have got. I don't think we have cracked it. We have a lot to do.

"A week ago we were in the bottom four and now we are five points clear. But as quickly as we got out of the bottom four, we can just as quickly fall back into it."